Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-11
ASSEMBLY.


ASSEMBLY.
This Legislature viii go down into history as
one where the rising to questions of privilege
was the rule rather than the exception.
Immediately after the reading OF the Assem-
bly, Journal to-day LaBlanc of San Frame SEQ
arose to question of privilege. He read a
newspaper account of his arrest and imprison-
ment, and stated that while there were some in
accuracies in the report, 1t was substantially
correct. He then detailed infinitely the facts
connected with his arrest and imprisonment on
a warrant sworn to by Mr.. Bull, who, he said,
was member of the law firm of Jordan 4 Bull.
The election in his district was very close, and
he had heard some talk of contest, and had
spoken to Speaker jordan regarding it. The
latter recommended LaBlsnc to consult Mr.
Bull He did So furnishing such facts
as he had at hand. LaBlanc said he
knew the contestant had no case, and
he had no idea Of receiving any money from the
State He had since ascertained that contests
were often maintained for the money there was
in it. Young, his opponents ally, had said TO
LaBlanc that the contestant had no case. The
case was before the committee but very few
moments. and was dismissed, there being no
ground for a contest. Bull made out the item
lied bill, which was presented TO the commit
tee. LaBlanc said he was not posted in such
matters He made inquiries as to the proper dis
position of the money he received from the
State, S507 of which S400 was designated as at
torney fees. He received various advice. Many
said and he himself believed, that 500 was an
ample fee for all the services rendered by Bull
or that he was calledupont to render. No evidence
had been taken, and the services of lawyer
had not been brought into requisition. He had
entered into no contract with Bull. lie had
received the warrant. drawn the money,
had called on Mr. Bull and offered
to make fair and equitable settlement.
Bull demanded 500. He said the committee
awarded it TO him. and that he would have it.
LaBlanc told him that the Assembly had given
him S507 for expenses, and he should not turn
over SOD of it to a party who had earned no part
OF it. After this conversation. when at his seat
in the assembly, page came and informed
him that the Speaker desired to see him in the
Library. He went out and was confronted by
Speaker Jordan and Mr.. Bull. Jordan, he said
remarked, Il hear you refuse to pay Mr.. Bull
his claim. Such action is unheard OF, and if YOU
do not pay his claim / will have you brought
before the bar of the House" He said, Il in
formed the Speaker that proposed to pay Mr..
Bull what considered was fair and right. |
also told the Speaker that Thought he was tax
ing great interest in matter in which it was
supposed he had no interest; when the Speaker
again threatened me with the bar of the House.
l then asked the Speaker TO allow Mr.. Bull and
myself to settle our own difficulties
Then, with much feeling. Mr.. LaBlanc re-
ferred to the indignities that he had received
at the hands of Mr.. Bull how he was awoke at
the middle of night arrested by two policemen,
cell like a common felon, upon warrant sworn
to by Bull. He was placed in prison, locked up
and deprived of his 1iber y from 1850 to =. NJ,
when some of his friends hearing of his incar-
ceration, came to his rescue and secured his
release. The police had told him while en-
route to prison that IL he would put up deposit
of $500 they would allow him to go on his own
recognizance. This he had refused to do, al.
though he had that amount in his pocket. He
never had wronged any one in his life, never
defrauded 2 man, woman or child out OF cent
served his country three years in the gar of the
rebellion, and had never before been arrested,
locked up, or even rested under the suspicion of
doing wrong. He keenly felt the modification.
he said, and realized the lrreparable injury that
had been done him. the result and outcome of
which he did not at this time care TO discuss.
Knox, who is member of the Committee on
Elections. arose to a question of privilege and
said that LaBlanc had furnished the Committee
on Elections an itemized statement of his ex-
penses in the contest Among these was one of
$3.50 for attorneys fees. The committee cut this
item down to 500. After the committee had
taken such action he met Mr. LaBlans and they
talked the matter over. He said to Knox that
he did not propose paying Bull the $780, He
said ne had offered Mr.. Bull $500. but that he
refused to take it. He had consulted at
torney and Senator and several others about
the matter and they had advised him that he
could pay what he thought was sufficient: ttat
they believed 5000 was sufficient and advised
him not to pay any more; he would not pay
any more than $500 as he had been TO Il large
expense and he proposed to keep the balance to
repay him for his expenses. Mr.. Knox said this
would be treating the committee and Assembly
In bad faith. as they had allowed The amount
for the use specified. To this Mr.. LaBlanc had
replied that he would not pay it, and that he
defied the committee and the House aud any
body else.
excited and with much feeling he said
he was surprised at the remarks which
had been made by the member from Los
Angeles. He called upon God to witness that
he had never used such language as had been
attributed to him He had not defied the com
mittee; had not defied the House; but he had
told Mr. Knox that he would not submit TO
being bulldozed by the Speaker.
Speak, Jordan also rose to q question OF priv
ilege, and said In so much as portion OF the
remarks of Mr.. LaBlanc refer to myself it is
proper that should see that the statement he
has just nlade-that he was arrested by war
rant sworn out by Mr.. Bull and myself-is not
true. / have never sworn out any warrant for
his app ehension, neither per. onalIy nor in con-
junction with Mr.. Bull or any other person.
Nor did have any thing to do with his a rest.
So far as the interview in the Library to which
he REFERS is concerned, / desire 10 " that
went into the Library in response to a message
from Mr.. Bull. was then for the first time in
formed of his refusal to pay over the 81 o. which
this House had voted for attorney fees. | at
once sent for Mr.. Lablanc, and ASKED hun if this
was true, and upon his saying that IL was,
told him that unless he complied with
the order of the House and paid over
the 800 to his attorney should report him to
the House and this fully intended to do, deem
ing his action an infraction OF the order OF the
House. Upon second thought, however. con-
cluded TO let the matter take its course lest some
one might think that my action prompted
by some personal interest. In this connect n
permit me to say that l have no interest in this
matter Whatever. II is true that Mr.. Bull is my
law partner but when Mr. lie Blanc called at
my office regarding his case told him distinctly
that could not have anything to do with the
matter and would not consent 10 have the firm
interested in il as being 4 member OF the AS
sembly would necessarily have to sit as one of
the Judges in the case when the committees report
came into the House. Nj Bull then asked me,
if / would object to his taking the case on his
own account as an an offset to my absence from
the Office during the session of the Legislature
Ny reply was that would not object 70 his TAX
Ing the case with that understanding, but that
/ should not consent TO being interested in it in
any manner, Deither in the fee which he might
r cciye from H. Not having any personal inter-
esf in the case do not desire TO Ike up more OF
mans remarks, and would suggest that the mat
ter be deferred TO the decision OF the Courts 10
which it has been carried.
The matter was then dropped and the House
proceeded 10 business.
APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR.
The Governor notified the Assembly that he
had approved the bill to prevent the unlawful
wearing of the badge of the Grand Amy Of the
Republic; the bill authorizing County Clerks to
Ia ke ard certify afiidavits Tor United states PEN
sion claimants without the payment OF fees or
compensation therefor the bill prescribing the
advancement ON the Supreme Court calendar
of appeals III probate cases, thereby Keeping eS-
tates from being hereafter tied mp for years
bill amending The Political Code in relation TO
the State militia; relative to chests, amending
the Penal Code.
Senate amendments 10 A. B. II, re ating to the
employment of conyiets and the sale of prison
pretiucfs came up for consideration The
amendmentswere refused by large majority.
Senate concurrent resolution. TO amend the
Constitution relating TO exemption from tax
alton of personal property not exceeding in
value 500 and exempt by law forn execution,
WAS refused adoption.
Matthews Of San Benito was granted en- IL
definite leave or absence